Torres helps Spain soar

14 June 2009 09:30

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Fernando Torres scored a first-half hat-trick as tournament favourites Spain delivered an impressive statement of intent with a 5-0 thrashing of New Zealand in their opening match of the Confederations Cup.

The Liverpool striker netted three times inside 17 minutes to put the European champions in the driving seat before Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas added a fourth and in-demand Valencia star David Villa completed the rout in Rustenburg.

Torres opened the scoring in the sixth minute when curling in from 18 yards, having been offered time and space when receiving Villa's pass.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque then saw his attacking dynamic duo combine again on 15 minutes as Villa squared for Torres to convert from close range.

New Zealand were wretched and offered little threat as Torres ensured he would be taking the match ball home with only 17 minutes on the clock when heading his third of the night.

Arsenal captain Fabregas (24) then capped an excellent period of keep-ball when adding a fourth from six yards as Spain continued to stroll against their Group A opponents.

Three minutes after the interval, Villa - who has been linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea - wrapped up the scoring when taking advantage of a horrible Andrew Boyens' error.

Hosts South Africa were held to a surprise draw with Iraq in Group A's early kick-off.